SRIKAKULAM
Environmental activists have urged the government to intervene and take steps to protect wetlands in Srikakulam district which are reportedly facing the threat of encroachments.
The Beela wetland, spread over 4,000 acres in Kanchili, Kaviti and Sompeta mandals, has reportedly witnessed over 100 acres being encroached upon in the last few decades, say locals.
Paryavarana Parirakshana Sangham, which led an agitation in 2009 and 2010 against the establishment of a thermal power project in the region, urged the government to take steps for the protection of the wetlands. PPS president and senior doctor Y. Krishna Murthy and association general secretary Beena Dhillirao asked the State government to implement the National Green Tribunal’s directives for the protection of the wetlands which are invaluable for the recharge of groundwater in the region.
“Some people with vested interests are trying to convince the government that the Beela wetland is of a small area even though it is spread over 4,000 acres. We have informed the same to officials when they were here for ground-level verification,” said Mr.Dhillirao
Dr. Krishnamurthy asked the government to take up a detailed study over the wetlands located in Beela and Naupada. “The government can develop ecotourism in those places. It will help in the protection of those lands permanently,” he said.
Meanwhile, Srikakulam Collector Shrikesh B. Lathkar has reportedly directed officials to submit a detailed report on the wetlands and suggestions for their protection.
